My Baby Zeke Is An Adult

Eighteen years.

 Eighteen years ago this tiny little human transformed me into a mother. Eighteen years ago my life was forever altered in the best possible way.

Chuey and I started Zeke's 18th birthday morning with 18 balloons.

Here's a shot at school on the big day.

The rest of Zeke's day went as normal, but we added in a birthday dinner at Olive Garden.

Then time for birthday cake and gifts.

He had so many candles he couldn't get them all blown out. Well, actually he couldn't keep them blown out (they were the re-lighting kind).

On the weekend we went to a VR breakout room that was Alice In Wonderland themed.

Nothin' makes you feel older than being in a VR breakout room with your kids. I was like the old lady who can't figure out technology. They were running around getting clues and the whole time I was like, "Guys, how do you climb the tree? Where is everybody? I can't pick that thing up and drink it." We did get out, but I contributed zero to the escape.

This boy is pretty amazing. He is wildly intelligent. He listens more than he talks, and when he does talk it is very deep and insightful. But he can be silly, too, and he still has the best laugh. He sets high goals and works hard to achieve them. The same little boy who cried and cried because we cut down a tree in the backyard is the same big boy who still has a huge heart and cares about injustice.  However, unlike that little boy, Zeke The Streak does not take off all of his clothes when he walks in the house anymore.

He may officially be an adult now, but he will always be my baby boy.

[April 4]